I hit the virtual asphalt with my friend Mike Martin, memories of a classic Ford Mustang and the twists and turns of the Pacific Coast Highway fuel our conversation. Mike, a retired family businessman, breathes life into tales of manual transmissions and life lessons. We chat about the nostalgia that wraps around the steering wheel of his first car, and the family road trip that is etched into his heart—revisiting stops like Hearst Castle and the towering Redwoods.

The road we travel takes a compelling turn as Mike recounts the remarkable growth of his family's industrial metal fabrication business. From its modest beginnings to becoming a 4-generation family business. Mike's reflections on innovation, community spirit, and his father's post-World War II vision illuminate the legacy that continues to drive the company forward, now settled in the city of Florence, Kentucky.

Finally, he shares the perfect road trip companion—none other than the legendary Paul McCartney. Imagine the songs we'd sing, the stories swapped, and the talk about Paul's Corvette. Mike graciously gives a shout out to me and an invitation to the listeners to keep riding shotgun with us at dantheroadtripguy.com, ensures the journey never truly ends. So here's to the open road, the memories we make, and the tales we tell along the way.